MLS Week Five: Five lessons from this week

From manager spats, to injury crises and last-minute winners this week had it all – apart from a Colorado Rapids goal as the drought continues.

Here are five things we learnt from Game Week Five…..

1)      Tissue gate

We were as confused as you, what on earth happened between Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter and FC Dallas manager Oscar Pareja at the end of the game?

Apparently Pareja, who saw his side’s unbeaten start to the season ended, handed his opposite number a tissue when they went to exchange a hand shake at the final whistle.

After the game Porter said: “He had a tissue that he put over his nose and tried to hand me – I've never had a coach come up and disrespect me like that.”

But according to former USA international turned television pundit Alexis Lalas, this was Pareja’s explanation.

Pareja tells me he meant to “send a message” that, for good of @MLS, coaches need to stop “crying" to refs on every play. #TissueGate
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) April 6, 2015

2)      Earthquakes shaken at the back

San Jose faced a mountain of defensive injuries as they welcomed Real Salt Lake to the Avaya Stadium in the live Sky Sports game on Sunday.

Marvell Wynne and Paulo Renato joined already injured Jordan Stewart on the sidelines and to make matters worse they lost Shaun Francis in the first half.

But credit to the Earthquakes squad they coped admirably with midfielders Cordell Cato and JJ Koval slotting in at full back to help plug the gap.

Shelton played for the Blades in the 2007/08 season

3)      Colorado’s wait goes on

If it’s not something we’ve learned by now then I don’t think we ever will – the Rapids are struggling in front of goal having not found the net in 600 minutes.

But Kevin Doyle’s summer arrival may be too late for the side that hit the woodwork three times this weekend, so could a Jamaican international be on his way in?

According to Colorado Technical Director Paul Bravo, former Sheffield United striker Luton Shelton is spending time with the club as he weighs up his next move.

4)      Orlando coming up short

The expansion franchise made a positive start to life at their new home, with a credible 1-1 draw against New York City on the opening weekend of the season.

But since then they’ve suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats at the Citrus Bowl – with the solitary strike coming in stoppage time on both occasions.

Octavio Rivero did the damage last time around and Luis Silva added to their woes this weekend; it’s a pattern Orlando will need to halt if they’re to have a strong maiden campaign.

5)      Kamara loves the drama

The game of the weekend was undoubtedly Sporting Kansas City’s comeback against Philadelphia Union, where two added time goals snatched the victory.

Jalil Anibaba headed in an equaliser in the 91^st-minute before substitute Krisztian Nemeth won it three minutes later, sending social media into meltdown.
And it wasn’t just fans of the two teams that were shocked by what they had witnessed as Columbus Crew’s Kei Kamara got in on the act too.

What a game😂😂🙈🙈🙈👏👏👏👏. #SKCvPHI pic.twitter.com/YbUzPTVjGx
— KEI KAMARA (@keikamara) April 6, 2015

Image courtesy of Stu Forster, with thanks.